Virat Kohli Gets Eden Gardens Crowd To Quieten Despite 'Kohli, Kohli' Chants
Virat Kohli celebrates his 35th birthday with IND-SA World Cup match (Twitter)
Virat Kohli asked a decent crowd present inside the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata to quieten down despite chants of "Kohli, Kohli!!" as Indian players strived to fine-tune their respective games at a net session prior to the ICC World Cup 2023 clash on Sunday (November 5).
While warmed by the love and affection on display by the spectators who had turned out on the eve of the marquee World Cup encounter against South Africa, Kohli refused to self-indulge above the national duties and made sure there was "pin-drop silence" maintained for his practice session.
Usually, outdoor Team India net sessions are watched inside stadiums by more than healthy crowds but with the frenzy of the tournament and Kohli's 35th birthday adding to the sense of occasion, a huge chunk of spectators expected for the ultimate face-off arrived at the historic venue.
There was bound to be disquiet and disturbance for players. However, Kohli exercised his great influence and emotional connection with the fans to get them to stay quiet, gesturing not to make too much noise while he focused on playing the Indian bowlers.
Kohli gestures Eden Gardens crowd to go silent
According to ESPNcricinfo, "Virat Kohli walked into the nets at Eden Gardens. A small crowd gathered in the stands behind him starts chanting, 'King Kohli'. He gestured at them to stay quiet during the training session. And immediately there was pin-drop silence."
The incident affirmed the connection and impact Kohli has on the crowds in India as he made sure he along with the rest of the players gearing up for the highly-anticipated fixture against South Africa got the required calm, peaceful setting for a watchful and critical net session.
The match-up with South Africa would be important for India. Even though a place in the semifinals is now confirmed with an incredible 7-0 winning streak, Rohit Sharma and company would like to test their waters against the second-best team of the competition and progress to the knock-outs holding the numero uno spot.
For Kohli, it's an opportunity to bag a special landmark, levelling his idol and legend Sachin Tendulkar's remarkable tally of 49 centuries in One-Day Internationals. The great batter has been in exceptional form in the tournament with 442 runs in his seven innings at a strike rate of 89.47.
 "Kashish Chadha")